Yeah, They painted some Merc's grey and called them Mariners. That motor is a proven design, V6 motor. They still make that model today, with some minor changes. As long as it is in good condition, it might be a good buy.
Mariner/Merc come from the same box of bolts for the most part. Might find some Mariners using Metric bolts and some that were made in Belgium but basically it's the same engine. I think all the V-6's were made in the U.S. At one point it seemed like the Mariners were the export version of the Merc but I don't have any hard facts to back that up.
V6 Merc and Mariners are identical 'cept for paint. Part numbers are even tha same unless its a "painted" part. It came about as a slightly lower priced motor than tha regular Merc line. Kinda like "GMC" use ta be many years ago.........D
Tha V6 Mariner came about in '77. Built in tha same plants as th V6 Mercury. Was never built by Yamaha. I know it was still being produced in 2000 but mostly as a Salt Water Series motor. It was even built as an Optimax. Despite all tha myths and old wives tales, its all Mercury, just grey................
There is a rumor out there that might have some merit though. Supposedly Yamaha may be building a reman powerhead for tha 3.0 Mercs and Mariner. But still all merc parts...........
Tha early 150, 175 and 200 Mercs and Mariners were just about as bullet proof as you could get when taken care of....................
Tha V6 Mariner came about in '77. Built in tha same plants as th V6 Mercury. Was never built by Yamaha. I know it was still being produced in 2000 but mostly as a Salt Water Series motor. It was even built as an Optimax. Despite all tha myths and old wives tales, its all Mercury, just grey................
There is a rumor out there that might have some merit though. Supposedly Yamaha may be building a reman powerhead for tha 3.0 Mercs and Mariner. But still all merc parts...........
Tha early 150, 175 and 200 Mercs and Mariners were just about as bullet proof as you could get when taken care of....................
Word on the street is that Merc and Yamaha have patched things up and Yamaha is doing some design work also. Don't know how much is going into the two strokes but I've heard the Verado's are in the picture. Just street level stuff guys don't take it as gospel.
